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aoosterwyk's review
4.0
Lucy Knisley's second memoir brought me back to what youth is all about. That time of exploration and risk taking that helps define who you are and what you like. Of course, Lucy explores Europe and is a published author.
Still, her drawings are lovely and she is able to capture the small moments that make up the big picture.
Still, her drawings are lovely and she is able to capture the small moments that make up the big picture.
cozymishap's review
2.0
I've been a fan of Lucy Knisley's since French Milk. To date I own all her books (signed) and even have a wonderful print by her of a young Julia Child hanging on my wall. But after this, despite having no problems with her gorgeous and constantly refined drawing abilities...I no longer feel I can relate to her or bring myself to read anything by her again. At least not for a while.
A lot of that isn't totally her fault, it's just more that I saw a lot of myself in Lucy's works, a well-traveled and cultured woman who is being pulled in so many directions and wondering so much. Even French Milk had a rawness and vulnerability that I really loved. Friends and lovers were part of the background, as was her internal big questions and dilemmas, but Paris and her relationship with her mother were the central focus. Even after that, her sketch books and wonderings throughout and after school were something completely universal, even though her own story is unique.
With Age of License I didn't really see much in ways of universal connections. I'm glad that she has found a lot of success and has great financial support, but the disconnect and scope of privilege she has was jarring even at the start when we learn about her Manhattan apartment and the free trip to Europe with the ability to travel all over. I held out in the hopes that Lucy's pure passion and sense of wonderment for her surroundings would draw me in, but instead I was given a story where the locations were mere supporting cast members and the central focus was her European romance and the introspective angst that felt a bit too on the surface for it to be at all understandable. This book was a "travelogue" in the sense that we are aware that throughout all this she went to some places. It is a travelogue written by someone who I daresay has travelled so extensively that the focus on her location has gone down.
As a long time fan of Knisley, I gotta say...I think she should hold off a bit on attempting to make a grand story and focus on her musings and impressions. It's what made her earlier work so good and a lot of her raw thoughts made her comics relatable.
I have more to say, mainly about how nauseating I thought the "Eat, Pray, Love of the Girls generation" descriptor was, but that's more of a personal thing. I'll just end by saying that the art was gorgeous. But that story...I'm sorry, no one's fault, but I just can't relate to Knisley's work anymore.
A lot of that isn't totally her fault, it's just more that I saw a lot of myself in Lucy's works, a well-traveled and cultured woman who is being pulled in so many directions and wondering so much. Even French Milk had a rawness and vulnerability that I really loved. Friends and lovers were part of the background, as was her internal big questions and dilemmas, but Paris and her relationship with her mother were the central focus. Even after that, her sketch books and wonderings throughout and after school were something completely universal, even though her own story is unique.
With Age of License I didn't really see much in ways of universal connections. I'm glad that she has found a lot of success and has great financial support, but the disconnect and scope of privilege she has was jarring even at the start when we learn about her Manhattan apartment and the free trip to Europe with the ability to travel all over. I held out in the hopes that Lucy's pure passion and sense of wonderment for her surroundings would draw me in, but instead I was given a story where the locations were mere supporting cast members and the central focus was her European romance and the introspective angst that felt a bit too on the surface for it to be at all understandable. This book was a "travelogue" in the sense that we are aware that throughout all this she went to some places. It is a travelogue written by someone who I daresay has travelled so extensively that the focus on her location has gone down.
As a long time fan of Knisley, I gotta say...I think she should hold off a bit on attempting to make a grand story and focus on her musings and impressions. It's what made her earlier work so good and a lot of her raw thoughts made her comics relatable.
I have more to say, mainly about how nauseating I thought the "Eat, Pray, Love of the Girls generation" descriptor was, but that's more of a personal thing. I'll just end by saying that the art was gorgeous. But that story...I'm sorry, no one's fault, but I just can't relate to Knisley's work anymore.
booksaremyfavorite's review
4.0
Enjoyed her honest, insightful reflections thoroughly, and I enjoyed the artistic style as well.
bookishbubs's review
3.0
3.5
--
It was cute, and I liked that there was a story arc, not just a bunch of random trips the author took where she just talks about the food and culture she experienced. I also liked that there was kind of a lesson learned with the "l'age licence" thing. There wasn't anything I really disliked, it just didn't blow my mind. I will definitely check out more of her work though!
--
It was cute, and I liked that there was a story arc, not just a bunch of random trips the author took where she just talks about the food and culture she experienced. I also liked that there was kind of a lesson learned with the "l'age licence" thing. There wasn't anything I really disliked, it just didn't blow my mind. I will definitely check out more of her work though!
_bunnybear_'s review
5.0
Just read French Milk earlier today and rated it one star. I picked this book up anyway just in case I ended up liking it and I'm pleased to say I feel this book took all the good aspects of French Milk and expanded on them.
I loved the illustrations. They were certainly higher quality than in the last book. I also thought it was very well written, and felt less like rambling. This book also had more emotion and personal voice in it, and I felt it described the places and events very well.
Overall, this book is very good for what it is! If you're interested in this genre, I think you'll find it entertaining(and it's a short read anyway, so might as well give it a try!). If you don't like this genre, you probably won't like the book.
I loved the illustrations. They were certainly higher quality than in the last book. I also thought it was very well written, and felt less like rambling. This book also had more emotion and personal voice in it, and I felt it described the places and events very well.
Overall, this book is very good for what it is! If you're interested in this genre, I think you'll find it entertaining(and it's a short read anyway, so might as well give it a try!). If you don't like this genre, you probably won't like the book.
balletbookworm's review
4.0
Not as amazing as Relish, IMO, and there aren't any recipes in this one, but a lovely travel memoir about her trip to Europe. So well laid-out in how she presents her internal struggle with knowing her "path" is the right one. The art is about 2/3 B&W and 1/3 beautiful watercolor-like panels.
Note: I need to read her book French Milk.
Note: The daughter of the Franco-American needs to never house-sit again.
Note: Lucy has a one-page notice about how it isn't cool to stalk and be a weirdo/asshole with women. So yeah, it's not cool to stalk women or make an explicit 'zine about them. Because that's gross.
Note: I need to read her book French Milk.
Note: The daughter of the Franco-American needs to never house-sit again.
Note: Lucy has a one-page notice about how it isn't cool to stalk and be a weirdo/asshole with women. So yeah, it's not cool to stalk women or make an explicit 'zine about them. Because that's gross.
ashleyholstrom's review
4.0
Lucy Knisley’s An Age of License follows her normal recipe: gorgeous cartoons, perfect colors, delicious foods, and adorable cat(s). But this one has an added layer of angst and fear as she’s touring around Europe, worried about what path her life and career is taking.
From 10 of the Best Nonfiction Comics on Hoopla at Book Riot.
From 10 of the Best Nonfiction Comics on Hoopla at Book Riot.
sofiamarielg's review
3.0
The illustrations are beautiful, and the scenes that Knisley paints of the places she visits made me itch to be sitting on a plane heading there. The "age of license" concept feels very accurate and gives deeper meaning to her narrative, though she tends to fall into the Girls-esque trap of leaning too heavily on the lost-girl trope. Knisley's drawings completely make up for it, though, and make this a quick, light read.
breannenance's review
5.0
Another amazing story from Lucy Knisley. I love reading her graphic novels, I think she is bright, hilarious and incredibly relatable. I completely enjoyed the part about her Swedish love that was amazing...until it wasn't because it shows how attraction and location can affect a love. A truly amazing book that I would recommend to anyone.